Month: January 2010

Have you ever seen a shoe so breathtaking?! These Gianmarco Lorenzi Swarovski crystal-embellished pumps have held me under their spell for some time now. I can’t stop staring at the gleaming snake eyes or the amazing high arches, and the rich color…to die for! Handcrafted in Italy, these pumps are more art than footwear, and they are fit for an Egyptian queen (or goddess). Who else could be majestic enough to do justice to the glass snake embellishment wrapped around each towering stiletto heel? I’ve searched all over the internet and can’t find them except in a size 37 on ebay for $950. I want them just so I can gaze at them in person all day, as they sit safely in a glass case on my dresser.

Odd as it might seem, I have never owned a pair of classic, black leather boots. Trendy OTK boots? Yes. Sexy buckled high-heeled boots? Check. But no chic, timeless, wear-to-work-and-beyond boots. Well, thanks to the generous people of Johnston & Murphy, now I do…and aren’t they gorgeous?! These Johnston & Murphy Colleen boots will never go out of style, and I can tell you after wearing them on the streets of NYC that they are surprisingly comfortable, too. This is thanks to a leather-covered memory-foam cushioned insole and leather lining. Feminine stacked 23/4″ heel gives you enough va-va-voom to up your confidence while still remaining walkable. A full side zipper makes putting them on a breeze, whether you wear them over jeans, leggings or bare legs.

You can buy yourself a pair for $159.99 at JohnstonMurphy.com. My boots are black, but they are also available in a pretty brown “espresso” color. **COUPON** Take an additional 30% off these boots and all other women’s sale footwear when you enter promo code WOMENS30 at checkout! Sale ends Jan. 31…so hurry!

Today I’d like to focus on a style I rarely feature: the wedge. From sky-scraping designer wedges to low, modest cork wedges, there are thousands of styles available! Many times I find myself at a loss for what to wear with this unique style of shoe. To be completely honest, wedges aren’t my favorite style; I prefer platform pumps and stiletto heels. But I do understand their value (hey, comfort and height and better balance), so maybe it’s time to delve deeper into how to choose the perfect pair and how to wear them. This is where my friend Trish comes in.

Trish is a wedge enthusiast who has written a comprehensive Wedge Shoes Guide, and who originally approached me for a link exchange and just to chat about shoes. She has some great advice when it comes to picking the right wedges for your lifestyle and tastes. Read below the break to learn how to do wedges right, plus see a few of her favorite wedges and where you can buy them online! Readers, I’d like to make this a regular feature on Shoe Smitten – to bring on “experts” or “enthusiasts” who are versed in shoe design or shoe fashion. If you’d like to be interviewed, email me!

When it comes to coordinating shoes for your wedding, dyeable shoes are heaven-sent. They let you add a fun pop of color, or they can perfectly match your dress. While dyeable shoe options used to be fairly basic, many online suppliers now stock styles that follow contemporary fashion trends and are designed to withstand the dyeing process.

When choosing dyeable shoes, here are a few things you need to consider to ensure your wedding day is picture-perfect:

Pick a shoe made of a complementary fabric to your dress, and one that will fit the venue and the theme of your wedding.

Choose a style that fits the season and venue. Strappy sandals in summery shades are perfect for warm weather weddings, while pumps in rich tones are better for the winter.

Have some fun with coordinating colors! Try mixing and matching accent shades among your bridesmaids for interesting pops of color.

Dye colors change in different lights, so be sure to examine your shoes in natural light before the big day.

Choose shoes with embellishments or with little fabric to dye in order to keep people from noticing any color mismatches. They will be far less obvious if you wear a strappy sandal with rhinestones, for example.

Another fun gift I received from my mom: Kleenex with cute shoe illustrations and quirky quotes on them. I kinda hate using them when I blow my nose! As for the purple Coach bag…well, let’s just say buying it was my way of stimulating the economy in 2009 ;)

These wall plaques were a thoughtful gift from a friend:

What fun, shoe-related gifts (or shoes) did you receive for Christmas?